Sex offences and domestic violence increase

Sex offences and domestic violence now make up one in five cases prosecuted.

What does this mean?

It means more victims are speaking out, and that's great.

But it's also a reflection of the fact that more false allegations are being made, and that's a taboo subject we struggle to openly discuss.

If your daughter is raped, you want her to feel that the system supports her enough that she reports the incident to the police.

But if your son is accused of a rape he didn't commit, you damn well want to believe that the system is impartial.

A crusade to prosecute 'violence against women and girls' does not help your innocent son.

Why?

Because from the moment the allegation is made - whether it's true or false - the police will refer to the complainant as the 'victim' (despite direct guidance that they should not do this, it continues). On their paperwork. In their procedures. And in their minds.

And if she's already the victim, your son is already a rapist.

It's an up hill battle.

The whole system needs shaking up.

The language used is SO important. If you are the victim, there must be a perpetrator. There must be guilt.

And yet, we are all innocent unless proven guilty.

No?

Most of us are guilty of feeding this system by watching news and reading tabloid newspapers that name and shame (usually) men accused of these crimes.

"He always looked a bit funny."

"I never trusted him."

"Your great aunt's cousin's babysitter's daughter said she met him years ago and he was a bit smarmy."

And we hang these (not yet convicted, so therefore still..) innocent men out to dry.

Until it's your son.

Until it's your dad.

Until it's you.